Bournville and the RFU

The more observant of you will have noticed some official looking RFU types wandering around the club recently. We can now tell you why.

Bournville RFC has been selected by the RFU as part of a Focused Work Programme, to work with us to improve and grow the club. This is a new programme being piloted by the RFU as they look at how they keep more youngsters in the game.

Club Chairman Mick Palmer explained that "We are one of 3 clubs in the West Midlands who have been selected for this programme because we are seen as a vibrant club with a new ground who are engaging with schools and the community to enhance the rugby experience and look at ways to help our already excellent youth coaching."

The RFU guys have already spent time working with the Club Committee and then observing our Minis & Juniors in action and we are pleased to say that the initial report has been very positive.

"Numbers!!!!
The first thing that struck was the huge amount of numbers at all age grades, not just of players but of coaches and volunteers...

"Positivity
On watching all of the various sessions, the positivity within these sessions was a real plus point. Feedback in general was very positive and question oriented, which created a nice learning environment. This has to be a huge contributing factor why Retention has been so good, we would highly recommend communicating this to your coaches and what a great environment they create...

"Game Zone & Skill Zone Activity
We saw plenty of really good game centred coaching, coaches using games as the tactical
problem and using certain adaptations, player challenges to try and solve that problem. This is really good for player development...."

We also have some "work ons" as you might expect and the Minis & Juniors Committee and Coaching Teams are meeting up next week to discuss these and start to work out how best to implement the recommendations.

We are excited about the potential of this programme and expect that working so closely with the RFU Community Team will help us continue to attract and retain players, show them what a great sport this game is and see them benefit from the RFU Core Values (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline & Sportsmanship)

We also have some agreed and specific outcomes that we are working towards.

RFU Mentor support for 2 of our M&Js coaches

Transition 10 NEW Male players from RFU All Schools programme

Transition 10 NEW Female players from RFU All Schools programme

Support transition of Colts to Senior

Support Whole Club Quality of Experience

We will keep you up to date with the progress here. Not least as there will be increasing opportunities for the players, coaches, supporters and club as a whole to develop both on and off the pitch and allow us to meet our stated aim to...